Early Predictions for the 59th Annual Grammy Awards

Early 59th Annual Grammy Award Predictions: Adele poised for another big night with “Hello” and album ‘25’.

The Grammy nominees have been announced for the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. Here at The Musical Hype, we have already reacted to said nominations. For the most part, the Recording Academy did a sound job. Now that the nominations have been made, who will win? Here is a very early take on who will come out on top! This is subject to change.

1. Record of the Year

Adele, “Hello” (25)

Beyoncé, “Formation” (Lemonade)

Lukas Graham, “7 Years” (Lukas Graham)

Rihanna ft. Drake, “Work”

Twenty One Pilots, “Stressed Out” (Blurryface)

Will Win: “Hello”

Should Win: “Hello”

Dark Horse: “Formation”

Rationale: “Formation” is by far the most daring record nominated. Still, it’s difficult to envision any record upsetting the glorious “Hello.”

2. Album of the Year

Adele, 25

Beyoncé, Lemonade

Justin Bieber, Purpose

Drake, Views

Sturgill Simpson, A Sailor’s Guide to Earth

Will Win: 25

Should Win: Lemonade

Dark Horse: A Sailor’s Guide to Earth

Rationale: If this were based on the critics alone, Lemonade would win hands down. The problem is, Beyoncé is going up against a juggernaut in Adele. 25 isn’t the best album nominated here, but that probably won’t matter. Don’t count out the odd man out either (Sturgill Simpson) – many times that person has shocked the world over the years…

3. Song of the Year

Beyoncé, “Formation” (Lemonade)

Adele, “Hello” (25)

Mike Posner, “I Took a Pill in Ibiza”

Justin Bieber, “Love Yourself”

Lukas Graham, “7 Years” (Lukas Graham)

Will Win: “Hello”

Should Win: “Hello”

Dark Horse: “Formation”

Rationale: “Hello” has a better shot here than it does in the ROTY category. “Formation” shouldn’t be totally counted out – Beyoncé has won this award previously (“Single Ladies”). As for the others, Lukas Graham (“7 Years”) and Justin Bieber (“Love Yourself”) are contenders. It’s hard to read the Posner nod here… could he pull off a big upset?

4. Best New Artist

Kelsea Ballerini

The Chainsmokers

Chance the Rapper

Maren Morris

Anderson .Paak

Will Win: The Chainsmokers

Should Win: The Chainsmokers or Chance the Rapper

Dark Horse: Maren Morris

Rationale: This is a tough call. The Chainsmokers have had a massive year, which should resonate with voters. That said, Chance the Rapper has accomplished a lot nontraditionally, which is also deserving of recognition…

5. Best Pop Solo Performance

Adele, “Hello” (25)

Beyoncé, “Hold Up” (Lemonade)

Justin Bieber, “Love Yourself”

Kelly Clarkson, “Piece by Piece (Idol Version)”

Ariana Grande, “Dangerous Woman” (Dangerous Woman)

Will Win: “Hello”

Should Win: “Hello”

Dark Horse: “Hold Up” or “Love Yourself”

Rationale: Again, Adele will likely edge Beyoncé here. “Hello” is just too strong. The Grammys isn’t a two-horse race, but this category may still be a fight between the two purported frontrunners. Justin Bieber is in this thing too…but we all know this is Adele’s to lose.

6. Best Pop Duo / Group Performance

The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey, “Closer”

Lukas Graham, “7 Years” (Lukas Graham)

Rihanna ft. Drake, “Work”

Sia ft. Sean Paul, “Cheap Thrills”

Twenty One Pilots, “Stressed Out” (Blurryface)

Will Win: “7 Years”

Should Win: “7 Years”

Dark Horse: “Stressed Out”

Rationale: Lukas Graham will earn their sole Grammy win here. Assuming “7 Years” is beat by Adele or Beyoncé in the big categories, this is the place to recognize one of the year’s biggest songs. “Stressed Out” will get a look, as should “Work,” but feels like the Danish Band will be triumphant.

8. Best Pop Vocal Album

Adele, 25

Justin Bieber, Purpose

Ariana Grande, Dangerous Woman

Demi Lovato, Confident

Sia, This is Acting

Will Win: 25

Should Win: 25

Dark Horse: Purpose or This Is Acting

Rationale: Regardless whether Adele wins a second album of the year or not, she’ll be awarded for Best Pop Vocal Album nonetheless. Justin Bieber and Sia will be considered, but neither is strong enough to upset 25.

12. Best Rock Performance

Alabama Shakes, “Joe (Live from Austin City Limits)”

Beyoncé ft. Jack White, “Don’t Hurt Yourself” (Lemonade)

David Bowie, “Blackstar” (Blackstar)

Disturbed, “The Sound of Silence (Live on Conan)”

Twenty One Pilots, “Heathens” (Suicide Squad: The Album)

Will Win: “Blackstar”

Should Win: “Don’t Hurt Yourself”

Dark Horse: “Heathens”

Rationale: Tough call. David Bowie is likely to win one posthumous Grammy in the least. He has a solid shot here. However, would it be shocking if the Grammys award the first person to be nominated in pop, rock, R&B, and rap categories with such a convincing performance (“Don’t Hurt Yourself”)? Then there’s “Heathens,” another deserving song!

14. Best Rock Song

David Bowie, “Blackstar” (Blackstar)

Radiohead, “Burn the Witch” (A Moon Shaped Pool)

Metallica, “Hardwired”

Twenty One Pilots, “Heathens” (Suicide Squad: The Album)

Highly Suspect, “My Name is Human”

Will Win: “Blackstar”

Should Win: “Blackstar”

Dark Horse: “Heathens”

Rationale: Bowie may have a better shot here than rock performance or even Best Alternative Music Album. If he loses the other Grammys he’s nominated for, this is the one he may earn.

15. Best Rock Album

Blink-182, California

Cage the Elephant, Tell Me I’m Pretty

Gojira, Magma

Panic! At The Disco, Death of a Bachelor

Weezer, Weezer

Will Win: Weezer

Should Win: Death of a Bachelor

Dark Horse: California

Rationale: This is the most surprising rock category in years. Ultimately, it’s a toss-up. Perhaps veterans win (Weezer or California). The most deserving album is Death of a Bachelor though.

16. Best Alternative Music Album

Bon Iver, 22, A Million

David Bowie, Blackstar

PJ Harvey, The Hope Six Demolition Project

Iggy Pop, Post Pop Depression

Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool

Will Win: Blackstar

Should Win: Blackstar

Dark Horse: A Moon Shaped Pool

Rationale: Bowie would have this locked up if it weren’t for Radiohead. Bowie gets the early edge, but hard to see Radiohead lose for such a well-rounded album…

17. Best R&B Performance

BJ the Chicago Kid, “Turnin’ Me Up” (In My Mind)

Ro James, “Permission” (Eldorado)

Musiq Soulchild, “I Do” (Life on Earth)

Rihanna, “Needed Me”

Solange, “Cranes in the Sky” (A Seat at the Table)

Will Win: “Needed Me”

Should Win: “Cranes in the Sky”

Dark Horse: “Turnin’ Me Up”

Rationale: Personally, “Cranes in the Sky” would be my choice. Likely, Rihanna comes out on top.

Rationale: Tough choice between the underrated “Lake By the Ocean” and the passionate “Kiss It Better.” Could go either way, but Maxwell was sort of snubbed so…

20. Best Urban Contemporary Album

Beyoncé, Lemonade

Gallant, Ology

KING, We Are King

Anderson .Paak, Malibu

Rihanna, Anti

Will Win: Lemonade

Should Win: Lemonade

Dark Horse: Anti

Rationale: Beyoncé was upset in this category by Pharrell Williams (GIRL) when her self-titled album was nominated. She won’t be upset this year, not even by a red-hot Rihanna effort (Anti).

21. Best R&B Album

BJ the Chicago Kid, In My Mind

Lalah Hathaway, Lalah Hathaway Live

Terrance Martin, Velvet Portraits

Mint Condition, Healing Season

Mya, Smoove Jones

Will Win: Lalah Hathaway Live

Should Win: In My Mind

Dark Horse: take your pick

Rationale: The Best R&B album category has been odd as of late. This year is no different. Probably, Lalah Hathaway comes out on top…for a live album. However, it would be great to see an underrated gem like BJ the Chicago Kid’s In My Mind get some love.

Rationale: Despite being nominated for multiple Grammys, Beyoncé can expect to take her lumps. She’ll probably eke out a win here, which in turn, will give K-Dot another Grammy. Still, “Ultralight Beam” is a gem. So is “Hotline Bling.”

Rationale: Drake is not going to win Album of the Year… period. He will probably win Best Rap Album, even if Chance the Rapper outdone him.

26. Best Country Solo Performance

Brandy Clark, “Love Can Go to Hell” (Big Day in a Small Town)

Miranda Lambert, “Vice”

Maren Morris, “My Church” (Hero)

Carrie Underwood, “Church Bells” (Storyteller)

Keith Urban, “Blue Ain’t Your Color” (Ripcord)

Will Win: “My Church”

Should Win: “My Church”

Dark Horse: “Church Bells”

Rationale: Maren Morris SHOULD have this locked up – the key word being SHOULD.

28. Best Country Song

Keith Urban, “Blue Ain’t Your Color” (Ripcord)

Thomas Rhett, “Die a Happy Man” (Tangled Up)

Tim McGraw, “Humble and Kind” (Damn Country Music)

Maren Morris, “My Church” (Hero)

Miranda Lambert, “Vice”

Will Win: “Die a Happy Man”

Should Win: “Die A Happy Man” or “My Church”

Dark Horse: “Blue Ain’t Your Color”

Rationale: This is a tough, tough category. The only song I’d argue against being deserving of the win is “Vice,” and it’s still a respectable song. “Die a Happy Man” by a nose.

29. Best Country Album

Brandy Clark, Big Day in a Small Town

Loretta Lynn, Full Circle

Maren Morris, Hero

Sturgill Simpson, A Sailor’s Guide to Earth

Keith Urban, Ripcord

Will Win: A Sailor’s Guide to Earth

Should Win: Hero (or A Sailor’s Guide to Earth)

Dark Horse: Full Circle

Rationale: Let’s put it this way… don’t feel comfortable if you are the perceived frontrunner – looking at you Sturgill Simpson. It’s neck and neck between A Sailor’s Guide to Earth and Hero. That said, don’t be surprised if Loretta Lynn ends up hearing her name called. Don’t bet on this one folks.

61. Best Song Written for Visual Media

Justin Timberlek, “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” (Trolls)

Twenty One Pilots, “Heathens” (Suicide Squad)

P!nk, “Just Like Fire” (Alice Through the Looking Glass)

Skrillex & Rick Ross, “Purple Lamborghini” (Suicide Squad)

Shakira, “Try Everything”

Peter Gabriel, “The Veil” (Snowden)

Will Win: “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”

Should Win: “Heathens”

Dark Horse: “Just Like Fire”

Rationale: Timberlake may get his just due after being “snubbed” in major categories for the infectious “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” Then again, so might “Heathens” or “Just Like Fire”

About the musical hype

the musical hype aka Brent Faulkner has earned Bachelor and Masters degrees in music (music Education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He’s a certified music educator, composer, and a freelance music journalist. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he’s blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.